Did you know Santa Clarita has Hard Cider?

For many years apple juice was considered apple cider which is unfiltered and unsweetened non alcoholic beverage. There was no difference in the name, some states call it differently and to differentiate from processed apple juice and cider. Some people call it soft or sweet cider. Then we have hard cider, which is fermented. Fresh cider is not filtered. Juice is filtered and pasteurized.

Cider will begin to become somewhat carbonated shortly after pressing and eventually become hard cider as it continues to ferment.

Cider apples are used and considered to be the best option for hard cider, but many other varietals are commonly used now. I have seen brands that use single varietals such as Northern spy, Cameo, Granny Smith and many others. Just like grape wine we have single varietals and blends. Hard cider is considered by the TTB, to be a fruit wine. Producers must have a winery license. Depending upon the amount of CO2 added, it can be considered sparkling wine. Most of the ciders I have tried, the alcohol level has been under 8%.

Most commercially manufactured cider is pasteurized which removes any contamination from unwanted bacteria and extends shelf life. The addition of sugar, juice concentrate or extra fruit juice before the second fermentation increases the alcoholic percentage.

In the UK, cider must contain at least 35% apple juice and France requires 100%. But, in America, the standards are much different at only 50%. Many producers add hops and other fruits to the process for a different taste. I do enjoy the addition of hops; it makes a complex, yet a delicious beverage. Most countries produce hard cider. History tells us it has been here about 1000 years or more. In America, we started to make it in the early 1600’s in Jamestown. The Mayflower brought over items to fabricate hard cider. In 2010, New Hampshire was considered to be the official state “beverage”.

In Santa Clarita and right here at Reyes Winery, Brown Partington of Brown Knows Cider, and a member of the Sierra Pelona Vintners Association, has been making cider for about 3 years. He is aiming for the spring of 2018 to have his first commercial batch for the consumer market. He will start with growlers and kegs, then to bottles. He has 3 varieties he is starting with, a traditional “Playin’ Jane” (which has amazing aromas), a blend with hops called “Hop on this Honey” and another blend called “Love Potion” made with assorted berries. He started making cider with the intention to have a product that is “natural” without adding a lot of preservatives. His website is Brownknowscider.com

I have also seen many other flavors such as coffee, jalapeno, ginger, cinnamon and many more. Also a few cider makers age them in wine barrels for a different taste.

“Cider doughnuts” customarily used the yeast or the co2 as a leavening agent. Here is a recipe I made for Hanukah this year, which we call sufganiot.

Brown Knows Cider Apple Donut Holes

By Beth P. Heiserman
Every year for Hanukkah I make sufganiot which are fried jelly donuts that are traditionally ate. The oil used to fry is reminiscent of the oil miraculously burned in the ancient temple in Jerusalem. I prefer baking instead of frying, so this is a baked low fat alternative.

Generally I make regular jelly donuts, but this year I made donut holes and served them with a raspberry sauce. I went to a Hanukkah party and one of the ladies literally licked her plate.

Ingredients

1 cup Brown Knows Cider that has been reduced(½ cup)

½ cup Buttermilk

1 egg or 2 egg whites

2 tbsp butter, melted

½ cup brown sugar, light

½ cup sugar (I used organic non bleached)

2 cups flour

2 tsp salt, kosher

2 tsp cardamom

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla bean paste

Ingredients for cinnamon sugar mix

2 tsp cardamom

2 tsp cinnamon

½ cup sugar

Directions

In medium sauce pan, over medium heat, reduce Brown Knows Cider for about 15 minutes. You will need ½ cup for recipe. Chill before using.

VISION

Robert Reyes envisioned having a small vineyard to produce small amounts of ultra premium wines to share with family and friends. However, when the beautiful piece of land where the vineyard is today, was acquired in 2002, the vision changed from a personal hobby to a small boutique winery. The longer-term vision is to bring Reyes Wines to wine lovers throughout the US and abroad.

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Mission Statement
Our mission is to produce the best quality wines in Los Angeles County by having a high standard of care and focusing on every phase of production. This passion for perfection will ensure that once consumers taste our wines, they'll know the quality and craftsmanship that goes into every bottle of Reyes Wines. (Our collection of 100 medals and awards as of June 2017 is a testament to our mission to be the best)